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Denmark in the focus with industry experts, Birgitte Sand, Sissel Weitzhandler and Morten Ronde in Vilnius

Published

7 years ago

April 18, 2019

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Birgitte Sand (Director of the Danish Gambling Authority), Sissel Weitzhandler (Group Compliance Manager at Play’n GO) and Morten Ronde (CEO at Danish Online Gambling Association and Managing Partner at Nordic Gambling) to share their views from all angles about the Danish and Scandinavian gambling industry at the second edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit, also known as the Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Summit and Awards.

MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit will take place on the 9^th of May at Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel and is gathering the gambling industry from the Baltic and Scandinavian regions for a full day of quality learning and networking with like-minded peers, regulators and representatives of the industry media.

Register here or View the Agenda!

Increased consumer spending across sports betting and online casino helped to push gross gaming revenue in Denmark up 5.7% year-on-year to DKK9.74bn (€1.30bn) in 2018, according to official figures published by the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden).

The 2018 total is up by DKK520m on DKK9.22bn reported in the previous year, as the Danish market was boosted by the 2018 Fifa World Cup, which took place from June 14 to July 15 last year.

Meanwhile, a new code of conduct for gaming operators active in Denmark was published last month, with the aim of strengthening consumer protection and lowering the risk of gambling addiction in the country.

Due to come into force on July 1, 2019, the code aims to set limits and offer tools that go beyond regulatory requirements to help protect consumers.

Just recently, Denmark’s gambling regulator has warned its online gambling licensees to be upfront with customers regarding so-called ‘free’ bonus offers.

The statement is reminding online licensees about the Danish Consumer Ombudsman’s February 2016 statement regarding the use of the word ‘free’ in marketing material related to bonus offers if said offer involved a turnover requirement.

At MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit, Birgitte Sand (Director of the Danish Gambling Authority), Sissel Weitzhandler (Group Compliance Manager at Play’n GO) and Morten Ronde (CEO at Danish Online Gambling Association and Managing Partner at Nordic Gambling) will take part in a special IMGL MASTERCLASS which is titled “It’s Hot in the Nordics: IMGL Mega-Panel”, giving you the opportunity to hear first-hand the updates from the Danish regulator.

Birgitte Sand, Director, Danish Gambling Authority

Birgitte Sand is Director of the Danish Gambling Authority. She took up her current position in 2008 after several years of work as a member of the Executive Board of the Copenhagen Tax Center.
Birgitte Sand holds a master’s degree in Law from the University of Copenhagen; 1985.

She started her career in the Danish court of Taxation and moved on to a wide range of different tasks and management positions in the Ministry of Taxation covering legal advice on corporate tax structures and tax on private companies and property, the central IT department and projects regarding leadership, innovation, strategy, change of organizational structures and the development of a nationwide IT salary system. She was for many years also a member of the Board covering the nationwide planning of tax compliance projects.

Since late 2011 Birgitte Sand has been a member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) Board of Trustees and chair of the IAGR Membership Subcommittee; she has served as Vice President of the association since October 2013 and served as IAGR President until October 2015.

Birgitte Sand is a frequent speaker at international gambling conferences, where topics like the Danish model for gambling regulation and the Danish self-exclusion system are on the agenda.
The international cooperation is very close to Birgitte Sand’s heart, as well as creating a strong, dialogue-based relationship between regulators and the industry.

In 2017, Birgitte Sand received the award “European Regulator of the Year” from the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL). The prize is awarded to a person whose work with gambling regulation is particularly remarkable and Birgitte Sand received it for contributing to the high standard and regulation of the Danish gaming market and for her remarkable contributions to international regulatory work.

Sissel Weitzhandler, Group Compliance Manager at Play’n GO

Sissel Weitzhandler has since 2011 been in the gambling industry. She is a compliance specialist, managing multiple groups of companies that have successfully secured and maintained gaming licenses in multiple European and non-European jurisdictions. Sissel has vast experience managing technical, legal and regulatory compliance teams and an in-depth understanding in operator and supplier opportunities and challenges. She is dedicated to growing businesses by accessing new and emerging markets while promoting a culture of compliance across organizations with a focus on the remote gaming industry. Passionate about international law, business and relations, and holds a post-grad in War Studies from Kings College London and an undergraduate in International Relations from London’s University of Westminster. Sissel has been in various forums and specialist groups including EU Commission round-table workshops.

Morten Ronde, EO at Danish Online Gambling Association and Managing Partner at Nordic Gambling

Morten Ronde has 19 years of experience from working in the gambling industry.

His background is in gambling regulation. He started his career in the Danish State Lottery and worked later 12 years as legal counsel for the Danish Gambling Authority. During his time as a regulator, he drafted the Danish online gambling reform that allowed for open licensing of betting and online casino operators in Denmark. The Danish gambling model is still considered one of the best gambling regimes in the world and has inspired many countries to adopt similar regulation.

Morten received the ”European Regulator of the Year Award” in 2010 from the International Masters of Gaming Law.

Since 2012 Morten has been working in the private sector of the gambling industry and has been advising clients in all sectors of the industry on regulatory affairs issues.

Morten acts as CEO of the Danish Online Gambling Association (DOGA), a trade association for online gambling operators in Denmark and as Director of Education and Association Development of the International Masters of Gaming (IMGL), the pre-eminent global gambling law network.

Make sure you take advantage of this unique opportunity of learning and networking with the gambling industry in the Baltic and Scandinavian region via the MARE BALTICUM Gaming platform which has been launched in 2018 and is committed to bringing together industry shareholders and government officials from the Baltic and Scandinavian region on a yearly base.

Browse the official event website here: www.marebalticumgaming.com

Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Denmark in the focus with industry experts, Birgitte Sand, Sissel Weitzhandler and Morten Ronde in Vilnius

Related Topics:gambling industry in Europe

George Miller

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Latest News

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: